Desperate Hong Kong parents will do anything to get their children into brand-name schools — from being janitors to giving up hundred-thousand dollar Rolex watches to shady businessmen.
A couple had sought help from businessman Joseph Lam Sui-kei to get their son into Diocesan Boy’s School, whose son failed to secure a place at La Salle Primary School in Kowloon Tong through the central placement system.
Lam, a partner at an IT company, persuaded the couple to donate three Rolex watches, worth HK$219,000, to an auction organised by the alumni association of the Diocesan Boys’ School in the summer of 2012. In return, they will receive a recommendation letter for their son.
When the boy eventually did gain admission to La Salle in August 2012, the couple asked for their watches back but Lam returned just HK$100,000.
The alumni association confirmed later that there was no such auction.
Source: SCMP
Photo: foeoc kannilc, Flickr
